Vylkove: The Danube Town Where Draft‑Age Men Have Disappeared

Amid the relentless conflict sparked by Russia’s invasion, Ukraine is grappling with a growing draft‑evasion crisis. While the issue is nationwide, one place stands out for the starkness of its situation: the small riverside town of Vylkove, perched on the banks of the Danube.

In recent weeks, local officials have reported that almost all men of military‑age have vanished from the town. Those who remain are either elderly or exempt from service, leaving Vylkove eerily quiet compared to its bustling past. Residents say the streets that once echoed with the chatter of teenagers and young workers now feel like a ghost town.

Authorities suspect that many of the missing men have fled to neighboring countries, hidden in the labyrinth of waterways that criss‑cross the region, or simply gone into hiding within the town’s dense network of canals and marshes. “We’ve seen a dramatic drop in the number of eligible men present for the call‑up,” said a local council member, who asked to remain anonymous. “It’s as if the whole generation has vanished overnight.”

The exodus is driven by a mix of fear, economic hardship, and a deep‑seated reluctance to join a war that has already claimed thousands of lives. For many, the prospect of conscription means leaving behind families, farms, and the modest livelihoods that sustain the community.

Ukrainian officials are now confronting a delicate balance: they must enforce the draft to maintain a robust defense while also addressing the social and humanitarian fallout in towns like Vylkove. Draft‑evasion penalties have been tightened, but the government also acknowledges the need for increased outreach, counseling, and economic incentives to persuade men to serve voluntarily.

As the war drags on, the situation in Vylkove serves as a stark reminder of the broader challenges Ukraine faces in mobilizing its population. The town’s silent canals may soon become a symbol of a nation’s struggle to reconcile the demands of war with the realities of everyday life.